Economics

Apple has acquired headphone manufacturer Beats Electronics - the company part-owned by hip hop mogul Dr. Dre - for $3bn, after carrying out its largest ever acquisition.

The chance of a rate rise this year has moved a step closer after one of the Bank of England's policymakers said a rise in the cost of borrowing should happen "sooner rather than later".

The official UK interest rate could settle at an average of 3% in a few years, the outgoing Deputy Governor of the Bank of England has predicted.

Britain's two state-backed banks have retreated from lending to the London property market since the financial crisis, in a sign of caution amid fears of an inflating housing bubble.

A row has broken out over the cost of setting up all of the public bodies needed in an independent Scotland.

US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has abandoned its plans to buy AstraZeneca following an unsuccessful pursuit of its UK rival.

Lloyds Banking Group has announced plans to float a 25% stake in its TSB business next month in a bid to meet European rules on state aid for banks.

Sterling has fallen back below $1.69 after worse-than-expected borrowing figures disappointed those investors hoping for further confirmation the economy is back on track.

Royal Mail has reported a rise in operating profits in its first set of full-year results since floating on the stock market.

Kames Capital's CEO Martin Davis warned the Scottish independence debate will be much closer than anticipated, resulting in wide and long lasting ramifications for the UK and Europe.